Munster Best at The Sportsgrounds.

A try from Doug Howlett converted by Ronan O'Gara helped Munster to a hard fought 16-5 win over Connacht in the Magners League game at The Sportsground.

The try came in the 77th minute as Connacht defended their line. Andy Dunne threw a long pass attempting to lift the siege but Howlett read it well and collected in the air to score with ease. O'Gara tagged on the points to add to an earlier penalty.

Although they enjoyed the better of the opening half exchanges they trailed at 5-3 half-time after wing Danny Riordan scored in the left-hand corner with just a minute of normal time remaining. Paul Warwick had kicked them into the lead with a sixth minute penalty and a second effort came back off the upright.

With the wind in their backs Munster regained the lead with a 41 metre Warwick penalty in the 42nd minute and ten minutes later Declan Kidney introduced Frank Sheahan, Marcus Horan, Paul O'Connell and Rua Tipoki and following that the introduction of Ronan O'Gara and Tomas O'Leary raised the tempo of the Munster performance and O'Gara's 61st minute penalty put his side four points clear.

Munster had to survive a number of close-in line outs before Howlett scored his crucial score.